Hamilton: An American Musical
I first encountered “Hamilton” about six months ago when it was starting to get increasingly famous in the USA. The musical was always fairly well known, but it only started to become a nationwide sensation within the past year or so. One of my friends at college who knows I love musical theater introduced me to the show in February, and I have been listening to the soundtrack ever since. “Hamilton” fascinates me because it bridges a 250-year gap between the American Revolution and modern U.S. youth culture. Of course every child in the U.S. knows the story of the American Revolution and the founding fathers—how the British monarchy was oppressing the colonies, how several smart men wrote a document declaring America’s independence, and how American rebels fought off the British army and officially secured freedom for America. However, “Hamilton” was the first time I truly felt connected to and inspired by the story of the American Revolution and the people who were involved in it. By utilizing a music style that I can connect with, “Hamilton” resonates with me in a way that a simple U.S. history textbook never could.
“Hamilton” is a story that has the potential to inspire people of all ages, races, nationalities, and socio-economic statuses. It is a poignant success story of an immigrant who started with nothing and built his own legacy stone by stone. His story is one of hope for immigrants coming to a new country in search of a better life. In addition, Alexander Hamilton exemplifies the power of the pen, and how knowledge and education is the key to success. This theme of the musical shows that we must place education as a paramount priority for refugees, IDPs, and other at-risk citizens.
http://www.hamiltonbroadway.com/ Hamilton Official Broadway Website
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wboCdgzLHg A short documentary about "Hamilton"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y5KuohVJMQ Cast of "Hamilton" performing at the 2016 Tony Awards
Hamilton, Musical, Broadway, American, Revolution, American Dream, Immigrant